# NTSB NYC91LA038: Piper PA-28-161, N4347H, Marshfield, MA, November 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1990, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Marshfield, MA
- Location: 42.0998° N, 70.6893° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marshfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0998&lon=-70.6893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA038

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - failure,partial (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE LOST PARTIAL ENGINE POWER RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT POWER TO CLIMB. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER OF A MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4347H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4347H), registered now, S/N 28-8416063, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8416063
- Airframe hours: 2657
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Steven L. Grable
- Registered owner: Shoreline Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 19, 1990, 53 hours before
- Airport: 3B2, Marshfield, runway 6, 3,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,840 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 3B2

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19901126052009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901126052009A), Nov 26, 1990: Piper PA28161, Marshfield, MA, Substantial damage. Lost partial power on takeoff. Not climbing,aborted and landed straight ahead in brush,no engine defects found.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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